Shower curtain rod cover



April 2 1963, l. LINDENBAUM 3,083,494

SHOWER CURTAIN ROD COVER Filed Aug. 29, 1961 Z FIGB.

FIGA.

INVENTOR. Irwln Llnden baum A brnreg United States Patent Ohce 3,083,494 Patented Apr. 2, 1963 3,083,494 SHOWER CURTAIN ROD COVER Irwin Lindenbaum, 45 Joyce Road, Hartsdale, N.Y. Filed Aug. 29, 1961, Ser. No. 134,757 1 Claim. (Cl. 45-68) This invention relates to covers for rods, and more particularly for rods of the type used for the suspension of shower bath curtains in -bath rooms, and also for rods used for hanging clothing in closets, and for various other types of rods.

Most rods of the type above mentioned exhibit a tendency, after some periods of use, to become scratched; their plating becomes marred and they often present a generally untidy appearance.

Rods showing signs `of wear can, by the use of the covering of 4the present invention, present a rejuvenated appearance; color effects to match decorations are possible; and the aspect of a new and different rod is attained by the itment of the improved cover thereon.

It is therefore Ian object of the invention to provide a covering for a curtain or closet rod which will fit over and cover and conceal the rod; which can be applied to the rod without the use of tools; which can be fitted on rods of different diameters; which can be supplied in many different colors and which can be made of a plastic material that is strongly resistant to wear and the effects of friction.

More particularly, the invention contemplates the provision of a rod cover in the form of a lengthy, longitudinally split sleeve or tube of springy plastic material, havin-g overlapped longitudinal edges and capable of being exed to cause it to iit over rods of various diameters on which it will springily cling and grip to rod to an extent to retard rotative movement of the sleeve on the rod and provide a tough covering of pleasing appearance on any rod on which it is fitted.

With -these and other objects to -be hereinafter set forth in view, I have -devised the arrangement of parts to be described and more particularly pointed out in the claim appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing, wherein an illustrative yembodiment of the invention is disclosed,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a shower bath curtain rod with the improved covering fitted on it;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing how the covering is expanded and is snapped into position around the rod;

iFIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the covering;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the covering, and

FIG. 5 -is a perspective view of the covering as it appears when tted on a curtain or closet rod.

In FIG. 1 is shown a conventional shower curtain rod 1 lto which the improved covering 2 has been applied. These shower bath curtain rods are subjected to consider- -able hard use including that caused by the sliding back and forth of the hooks 3 on which the shower curtain 4 is suspended. As a result, the rod 1 soon shows signs of wear; the plating begins to wear away in spots and the rod begins to present an unsightly appearance. The same takes place, to some extent with clothes closet rods on which garment hangers are suspended.

By the employment `of .the covering 2, the rods will not only present a decidedly improved appearance but will 'be provided with a wear-resistant, protective covering which is obtainable in a number of colors. The improved covering 2 consists of a lengthy, split sleeve or tu'be composed of a tough, springy plastic material provided in a length similar to that of the rod on which it is to be fitted and made in various colors for selection by the individual.

The covering 2 is of cylindrical form provided with overlapped ends 5 and 6, the overlap thereof bein-g substantial and suflicient to enable the sleeve 0r tube to be distended to increase its internal diameter according to the diameter of the rod on which it is to be fitted. The overlap is made suiicient to enable the sleeve to adjust itself to rods of conventional diametrical size without causing a gap to appear between the longitudinal edges of the sleeve.

The sleeve or covering 2 is fitted on a curtain rod, clothes closet rod or other rod by springing its edges apart and snapping it in place on the rod substantially as shown in FIG. 2 and when once fitted on the rod, its normal tendency to curl into cylindrical formation will cause it to not only remain in position around the rod tbut to cling intimately and contiguously to it. When the covering is fitted on the rod the overlapped ends 5 and `6 of the covering can be positioned so that the same will be located at the rear of the rod and thus be concealed from frontal view.

The hard and tough nature of the covering will resist frictional wear; the shiny smooth surface of the covering will facilitate the sliding of the curtain hooks Iback and forth on it and the nature of the plastic material from which it is made enables the covering to be produced in many attractive colors.

While the covering herein disclosed is shown as being intended for a straight or unbent rod, it will be understood that the same may be curved or otherwise shaped for use upon rods of similar curvature.

Having thus described a single embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that the same is not to be restricted thereto, but is broad enough to cover all structures coming within the scope of the annexed claim.

What I claim is:

A protective cover for a shower curtain rod or a clothes closet rod comprising, a cylindrical split sleeve composed of a springy plastic material adapted to encircle the rod and completely cover it and conform closely to its cross sectional shape for -the length of the rod, the sleeve having normally overlapped lends for `its entire length, the springiness of the material of the sleeve 'bein-g such as to constantly maintain said ends in overlapping relationship without requiring additional fastening means, said springiness permitting .the sleeve to be diametrically expanded to thereby spread the ends of the same apart and permit the sleeve to t closely around rods of different diameters, with said sleeve, while fitting around the rod with its ends overlapped, completely encircling and enclosing the rod to an extent to retard any rotative movement of the sleeve on the rod.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,446,628 Ridge Feb. 27, 1923 1,711,751 Schwer May 7, 1929 1,738,295 Hardy Dec. 3, 1929 2,564,386 Webb Aug. 14, 1951 2,583,702 Meyer Jan. 29, 1952 2,897,911 Bowers Aug. 4, 1959 

